Council candidates answer questions during forum

Lexington City Council incumbent Wayne Alley speaks during a candidates forum Tuesday night that was sponsored by the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce at Lexington Senior High School. Other Lexington candidates participating in the forum are (from left) incumbent Mayor Newell Clark, incumbent councilman Linwood Bunce, Tobin Shepherd and the Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller.

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 11:02 p.m.

Candidates seeking City of Lexington offices participated in a forum on Tuesday evening at Lexington Senior High School to answer questions ranging from economic development, job growth, education and the future of the city.

Questions were solicited from members of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and Lexington Senior High School students. The forum was moderated by Phillip McGirt, a chamber of commerce member and former Government & Public Policy Chair. Each candidate was given 90 seconds to answer each question and an additional 90-second introduction and final statement.

Two of the candidates from contested ward races were not present at the forum. Incumbent Ronald Reid, who is running against Dr. Herbert Miller II for Ward 1, was not present due to minor health issues. Gary Fancy, who is running against incumbent Linwood Bunce for the representative of Ward 3, was not able to attend due to a prior commitment. Others who attended were Lexington Mayor Newell Clark, who is running unopposed; Tobin Shepherd, running unopposed in Ward 2 and Wayne Alley running unopposed for Ward 4

One questions asked was what involvement the City of Lexington should have in regard to the proposed industrial business park adjacent to Interstate 85. All of the candidates agreed that the development of the area was in the best interest of the city as well as the county.

"I think it is a perfect opportunity to bring jobs into the area," Bunce said. "It is something that needs to be done. We are working on a plan and it is viable to continue to improve our community, continue to thrive and bring kids back to the community once they graduate from college."

Shepherd said, "We need to make our assets readily available and our basic investment should be in infrastructure, such as water, sewer and any public utilities we have."

"The city is ready to do it, but the question is how is it to be funded," said Alley. "We need everything in our power to make it happen."

Miller said, "It is a plus for the city to be involved in attracting business and commerce to that areas. That is what we are looking for. We need to get involved with projects that we can market the city as a place easy to get to."

"It is logical to invest in the park, but I urge the citizens to look at balance. We were heavily invested in textile and furniture and look what happened. We need to logically invest while developing other projects to create a balance that is sustainable," said Clark.

Another question came from the students at the high school. They asked what the candidates would do to positively affect the local economy for the young people and education.

Clark said, "We have established the government youth council to give them a voice in government. We are trying to build an environment to give them a reason to come back once they go to college."

"We need to support development of industry," said Bunce. "You should give people a reason to come back and we have great potential with the development of the industrial park and the Depot District."

Shepherd said, "Supporting education has a positive effect on the economy. We should continue to support tourism, promote entrepreneurial atmosphere and support small businesses and the school system for the future of our young people."

"Good jobs solve most of the problems a community faces," said Alley. "The key is to develop these opportunities and to have good paying jobs for kids to come back to after continuing their education."

Miller said, "We all agree that jobs is what we need because it positively effects other areas."

Candidates were given the opportunity to describe certain things they would champion if given the opportunity to serve on the city council.

Miller said, "I would like to see improvements in the area of Cotton Grove Road. We need more recreational opportunities, such as a walking parks. I always come back to Dunbar School. We need to find a way to get that back because it is an historical building, especially for the African-American community."

"I would like to see more health-living initiatives, education and entrepreneurship," Clark said. "I would like someone to come into Lexington to start a business and watch it grow. We need more green initiatives, education on energy conservation and more recycling programs"

Bunce said, "I support economic development, but I would also like to see more greenways and bike paths. We need to continue with the beatification of the city entrance ways and increase quality of life."

"I would continue to support the great job the community and business development office is doing and keep moving forward. We need to support job development, tourism and small businesses," Shepherd said.

Alley said, " I ride my bike a lot, so I would love to see more bike lanes and greenways. I would like to see green initiative take flight, but done through grants as to not to put too much expense on the taxpayer."

Other questions addressed the support of the proposed Depot District, the proposed Historical District, investing in a multi-purpose community center, support of a separate tax for a city school system and elimination of vacant buildings.

Miller, 46, is the pastor of First Baptist Church on Village Drive and is on the board of directors for Wake Forest Baptist Health — Lexington Medical Center; Edward C. Smith Civic Center; the J. Smith Young YMCA; and Family Services of Davidson County. He serves on the City of Lexington Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Reid, 62, is running for his second term. He is retired from Mid-State Tile and is currently serving on the Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. Board and volunteers with the Salvation Army.

Bunce, 60, is finishing his first elected term. He has served on boards of the Greater High Point-Davidson Chapter of the American Red Cross; Lexington City Board of Education; the City of Lexington Planning Board; the J. Smith Young YMCA Board of Directors and the Lexington Kiwanis Club. Fancy, 68, is retired from the U.S. Navy. He has volunteered at Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic for four years and has worked with the United Way.

Clark, 42, is the principal owner of Standell Properties. Shepherd, 52, who is retired from Guilford County Health Department, is the only person on the ballot to replace Donnie McBride in Ward 2. Alley, 70, a Realtor, has been the incumbent council member for Ward 4 for eight years.

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Candidates seeking City of Lexington offices participated in a forum on Tuesday evening at Lexington Senior High School to answer questions ranging from economic development, job growth, education and the future of the city. </p><p>Questions were solicited from members of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and Lexington Senior High School students. The forum was moderated by Phillip McGirt, a chamber of commerce member and former Government & Public Policy Chair. Each candidate was given 90 seconds to answer each question and an additional 90-second introduction and final statement.</p><p>Two of the candidates from contested ward races were not present at the forum. Incumbent Ronald Reid, who is running against Dr. Herbert Miller II for Ward 1, was not present due to minor health issues. Gary Fancy, who is running against incumbent Linwood Bunce for the representative of Ward 3, was not able to attend due to a prior commitment. Others who attended were Lexington Mayor Newell Clark, who is running unopposed; Tobin Shepherd, running unopposed in Ward 2 and Wayne Alley running unopposed for Ward 4</p><p>One questions asked was what involvement the City of Lexington should have in regard to the proposed industrial business park adjacent to Interstate 85. All of the candidates agreed that the development of the area was in the best interest of the city as well as the county.</p><p>"I think it is a perfect opportunity to bring jobs into the area," Bunce said. "It is something that needs to be done. We are working on a plan and it is viable to continue to improve our community, continue to thrive and bring kids back to the community once they graduate from college." </p><p>Shepherd said, "We need to make our assets readily available and our basic investment should be in infrastructure, such as water, sewer and any public utilities we have."</p><p>"The city is ready to do it, but the question is how is it to be funded," said Alley. "We need everything in our power to make it happen."</p><p>Miller said, "It is a plus for the city to be involved in attracting business and commerce to that areas. That is what we are looking for. We need to get involved with projects that we can market the city as a place easy to get to."</p><p>"It is logical to invest in the park, but I urge the citizens to look at balance. We were heavily invested in textile and furniture and look what happened. We need to logically invest while developing other projects to create a balance that is sustainable," said Clark.</p><p>Another question came from the students at the high school. They asked what the candidates would do to positively affect the local economy for the young people and education.</p><p>Clark said, "We have established the government youth council to give them a voice in government. We are trying to build an environment to give them a reason to come back once they go to college."</p><p>"We need to support development of industry," said Bunce. "You should give people a reason to come back and we have great potential with the development of the industrial park and the Depot District."</p><p>Shepherd said, "Supporting education has a positive effect on the economy. We should continue to support tourism, promote entrepreneurial atmosphere and support small businesses and the school system for the future of our young people."</p><p>"Good jobs solve most of the problems a community faces," said Alley. "The key is to develop these opportunities and to have good paying jobs for kids to come back to after continuing their education."</p><p>Miller said, "We all agree that jobs is what we need because it positively effects other areas."</p><p>Candidates were given the opportunity to describe certain things they would champion if given the opportunity to serve on the city council. </p><p>Miller said, "I would like to see improvements in the area of Cotton Grove Road. We need more recreational opportunities, such as a walking parks. I always come back to Dunbar School. We need to find a way to get that back because it is an historical building, especially for the African-American community."</p><p>"I would like to see more health-living initiatives, education and entrepreneurship," Clark said. "I would like someone to come into Lexington to start a business and watch it grow. We need more green initiatives, education on energy conservation and more recycling programs"</p><p>Bunce said, "I support economic development, but I would also like to see more greenways and bike paths. We need to continue with the beatification of the city entrance ways and increase quality of life." </p><p>"I would continue to support the great job the community and business development office is doing and keep moving forward. We need to support job development, tourism and small businesses," Shepherd said. </p><p>Alley said, " I ride my bike a lot, so I would love to see more bike lanes and greenways. I would like to see green initiative take flight, but done through grants as to not to put too much expense on the taxpayer."</p><p>Other questions addressed the support of the proposed Depot District, the proposed Historical District, investing in a multi-purpose community center, support of a separate tax for a city school system and elimination of vacant buildings.</p><p>Miller, 46, is the pastor of First Baptist Church on Village Drive and is on the board of directors for Wake Forest Baptist Health — Lexington Medical Center; Edward C. Smith Civic Center; the J. Smith Young YMCA; and Family Services of Davidson County. He serves on the City of Lexington Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Reid, 62, is running for his second term. He is retired from Mid-State Tile and is currently serving on the Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. Board and volunteers with the Salvation Army. </p><p>Bunce, 60, is finishing his first elected term. He has served on boards of the Greater High Point-Davidson Chapter of the American Red Cross; Lexington City Board of Education; the City of Lexington Planning Board; the J. Smith Young YMCA Board of Directors and the Lexington Kiwanis Club. Fancy, 68, is retired from the U.S. Navy. He has volunteered at Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic for four years and has worked with the United Way. </p><p>Clark, 42, is the principal owner of Standell Properties. Shepherd, 52, who is retired from Guilford County Health Department, is the only person on the ballot to replace Donnie McBride in Ward 2. Alley, 70, a Realtor, has been the incumbent council member for Ward 4 for eight years.</p><p>Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.</p>